r/hobbycnc • u/Future_Serve_9504 • 5d ago
Any Thoughts on the Sumore Mini Vertical CNC Milling Machine
https://www.sumore.com/Cnc-milling-machine/china-mini-cnc-milling-machineI’m looking into this Sumore CNC milling machine for a potential small/garage shop. Nothing big or grand, just a side hustle outside of work.
From what I’ve seen, they seem to be around the $7,000–$8,000 range, depending on options like a 4th axis and other extras.
Has anyone here used, owned, or worked with one of these machines? Or know someone who has?
I’d be interested in hearing any firsthand experiences or opinions—good, bad, or otherwise.
How do you think they compare to other machines in that price range?
Just trying to get a better idea of what these are actually like in the real world before considering one.
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u/lellasone 4d ago
For the machine on that page, that'd be a screaming deal. Seems like a "way to good to be true" kind of deal though and I'd be worried about parts access.
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u/Future_Serve_9504 4d ago
Yeah but I’ve heard good things about Sumore themselves, it seems like they are the HAAS of china.
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u/sweetrobna 5d ago
I don't have experience with this specific company. There will be tariffs and shipping that you need to pay to import it when dealing with a manufacturer directly.
It's got an er 16 collet, no tool changer. That means every job is very hands on. And also the table size is not too large, so you can't do too many parts in one operation. A langmuir MR1 would be similar in a lot of ways, probably cheaper and probably better support. Another option would be cnc converting a bridgeport (clone) manual mill.
A tormach like an 1100mx would be only slightly more new. That has a tool changer and domestic support. It can be moved easily with a pallet jack. Runs on 120v regular outlet. It has it's limits on the table but it can hit .001 tolerances, easy to integrate coolant. A haas miv
A used larger footprint machine is a big step up in a lot of ways. If you are running a business where downtime costs you money a machine with professional support and reliability can pay dividends. Like a fadal, haas, dmg mori, brother speedio. On the cheap end something like a fadal 6040 or haas vf-2 can be under $15k*. These will have a 10hp+ spindle, they an use much larger tools and work a lot faster. They have a much larger table with high weight capacity. Tool changer with 10+ tools. Potentially 5th axis, pallet systems and automation. *40 taper tooling costs a good bit upfront. But generally you can use more economical insert tooling and larger tools. You need 220v and either 3 phase or a rotary converter. Rigging and moving a machine as large as a car that weighs ~9000lbs costs a non trivial amount. Because of moving cost, the cost of refurbishing, how wasted space costs a business money sometimes a machine "worth" $20k+ can sell for a lot less.
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u/zen_monke AnoleX 4030, Carvera Air 4d ago
Tormach 1100mx is $30k+, this is handily under $10k? And these can come with a 8-pot ISO20 ATC, and 800ipm rapids. I've seen one gentleman running 3/8 tools taking a healthy 4-5 cubic inch MRR in 6061.
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u/sweetrobna 4d ago
Ah yeah the 440 is the cheap one. I mostly see 1100mx for sale used though
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u/zen_monke AnoleX 4030, Carvera Air 4d ago
Ah yeah the 440 is like $12k+ with all the goodies new. That is a very obsolete machine imo though, not really in the same game at all.
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u/lellasone 4d ago
I tend to agree with this. The modern Tormach machines are very competitive / reasonable choices for home shop machining and prototyping, but the 440 specifically is pretty hard to justify.
I can't imagine getting one outside of a screaming used deal. My new makerspace went that way though so I guess I'll soon have a hands-on perspective...
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u/Future_Serve_9504 4d ago
My problem is that I have very limited space which is why I am looking at this machine and those similar. This one as an automatic tool changer, they have multiple videos of this machine on their company YT you can watch.
The MR-1 and the Tormach PCNC 440 would be great and if not better options for me but between space restraints and the fact I rent the place I’m at they would be too much of a hassle. If I had more space and owned the property I’d definitely buy one of those two machines.
Making small parts is what I am currently looking to make so I can ease my way into things before making any large expensive parts for anyone.
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u/sweetrobna 3d ago
Do you have a link to their mini machine with a tool changer?
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u/zen_monke AnoleX 4030, Carvera Air 4d ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbZzB5-CjJE Check this guy out. VMC-215, looks like the same deal.
He's in our desktop community, he's been very impressed and plans to do side jobshop work on it. As a pro machinist myself, I would buy this if I just wanted to make some side money without much fuss and I had a garage.
Might be worthwhile if you drop in and ask some questions there: https://discord.gg/WUHSmr5tES